I Thought I’d Never Be an Addict Then I Lost My 20s, My Dad, and My Freedom

I sat down with Eric Johnson, and I don’t think I was fully prepared for what he would share. His story is one of brutal honesty, unimaginable loss, addiction, prison, and ultimately, redemption.

Eric takes us into the darkest corners of his past: witnessing a friend take his life, spiraling into meth addiction, and spending nearly a decade behind bars. He opens up about life inside solitary confinement, the trauma that haunted him, and the small, consistent choices that led him back to hope.

But this isn’t just a story of survival, it’s a story of transformation. From being featured on national news for his crimes to building a life of purpose, Eric has clawed his way back. Today, he’s three years sober, raising his daughter, and helping others break free from addiction through programs like Hope for Prisoners.

If you’ve ever felt too far gone, this episode is for you. We talk about recovery, self-worth, and how changing your environment can change your life. It’s raw. It’s heavy. But it’s exactly the kind of truth we need to hear.

Key Moments:
00:00 The Moment That Broke Me
3:11 The Night Everything Changed
8:00 Thrown Into Prison Life
14:18 Why I Fell Into Addiction
20:04 The Military Could Have Saved Me
25:19 Two Years in Solitary Confinement
32:54 Released at 30, Feeling Worthless
34:02 A Mistake That Cost Me 15 Years
46:00 Losing My Father in Prison
49:33 Everything Was Because of Substances
55:07 The Deal That Let Me Walk Free
1:01:50 The Cure Is in the Suffering

Guest Info:
IG: @‌ericchristopherlifts (  / ericchristopherlifts  )

#addictionrecovery #prisonreform #sobrietyjourney